Helicopter Jobs
Given the fact the that the tourism industry fluctuates with the seasons in Australia ie busy in summer in the south and dry season in the north and quieter during the winter in the south and wet season in the north of the country. It stands to reason the tourist companies will need more staff during the busy periods. General duties for ground crew at a tourist helicopter operation can include the following.
- Meeting and greeting clients.
- Driving courtesy shuttles.
- Washing Helicopters.
- Weighing passengers and preparing load manifests.
- Handling cash.
- Computer work.
- Keeping Hanger and grounds tidy.
- Loading and unloading passengers from helicopters.
- Passenger safety briefings
Basically you will be expected to do a bit of everything and if you're a really good boy/girl you might be allowed to fly one day. You could be expected to work weekends and can work long hours over the summer season. Tourist operations and especially scenic joy flights are a great way to build hours for low time pilots for the following reasons:
- You don't need any special endorsement that requires a minimum number of PIC hour, aside from a type rating for the particular aircraft you will be flying.
- Once you get flying you will in most cases build hours quite fast.
- In general the flying is not technically difficult and is better suited to inexperienced pilots than some other areas of the heli industry.
- Most of the companies in Australia operate piston engine helicopters such as the Robinson R44 so there is no need for a turbine endorsement.